Cure for a lack of pass rush.

[tyrone biggums]

Why would being 6'7" be a hinderance to the tackle position? Seems like it would provide more "falling forward" motion.

generally the taller guys play end while the smaller guys play inside.

that low center of gravity makes it hard to root that guy away from the run.

the caveman (BC) may get some action off the edge in the NFL and may be evaluated there still in fall camp, but he isn't option one by any means.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Taosman is on to something here. You get the best players on the field.

...

Alan said is that the guys we have will be "fine." Maybe, maybe not. Again, they were not "fine" last year, they were mediocre...

Taosman is on something alright...rock crack. Obviously you get the best players on the field, but you also get them in the positions they play best. You don't move one of the best outside linebackers in the country down to defensive end just because you think he can also play that position. As far as your "they were mediocre" comment, just who were those "mediocre" players?

 

[HabaneroBuck]

As far as your "they were mediocre" comment, just who were those "mediocre" players?

The ends. And I agreed that Carpenter probably should not be a DE. I see a random blitzing 3-4 as a good way to utilize our best talent and get pressure in the backfield if the front four can't do it. So, I am not agreeing that Carpenter as a DE is the answer to any penetration problems, but I am agreeing that getting four linebackers on the field at once could be a remedy.

We've got Kudla, Richardson, Barrow, Gholston, and Patterson to look at as experienced guys who can play end. I was disappointed in the number of sacks we registered last year, so I hope those guys can step it up in the games. I remember being excited last year about the reports of what Richardson could do, and that translated to 2 sacks last year....I'm not sold on our line just yet. In 2002, we won because our D-Line was the best in the country, bar none. We don't have that luxury in 2005, so why not adapt to what we have that IS the best in the country, bar none? That being, obviously, the Linebackers.

 

[LloydSev]

Are you joking?!?!

Just because they didn't play as well as Will Smith?? We were absolutely spoiled by that guy. But just because our current roster isn't as good as him doesn't make them mediocre. You are comparing them to past Buckeyes, and not the rest of the nation at DE.

 

[Crump's brother]

I'm going to have to look at some tapes to see if this is correct, but I think one reason the sacks went down is due to the fact that there wasn't a whole lot of double teaming of our D line last year. Will Smith and friends had so much talent that one of them would get a one on one with an O lineman and win. Don't get me wrong, we were solid at the D line last year, but that's one of the differences between good and great.

 

[osugrad21]

Don't get me wrong, we were solid at the D line last year, but that's one of the differences between good and great.

I wouldn't even say good until the latter portion of the season. There was a lack of discipline on the DL last year which, when added with a lack of athleticism on the ends and experience in the gut, leads to problems. Fraser was exceptional when teams decided to concentrate on Smith, Scott, and Anderson....last year, who did opponents need to focus on? The lumps of last year should lead to the fruits of this year.

 

[exhawg]

I wouldn't mind seeing the nickel look this year being a 3-3 with Richardson, Pitcock, and Kudla on the line and Hawk, Carp, and Freeman at LB. They could run some funky blitzes out of that and that group of LB's could cover the pass well too no matter who dropped. Carp needs to stay at LB except in passing situations when you are trying to break a pass protection.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

It would be nice if D'Andre could stay on the field and then they could possibly use him as a rush end on passing downs.

 

[AKAK]

Jesus Christ...

I have a phone interview in a half an hour and I made the dumb decision to read this thread... I feel stupider- see!- already.

Christ...

Okay...

Why not play Bobby Carpenter at End? Hmmm... maybe its because He's a Linebacker and excels in space? (And will be a first day--if not first round- draftee at... oh I don't know.. Linebacker?

Second... Why do tall guys play on the end? Hmmm... is it because (partly) that one of the Golden rules of football is to "play low" and why would you wnat a tall guy to play low on every single snap against shorter G's and C's when he can match up with (usually) taller tackles against the run and then use their legnth when they don't have to playy low when defending the pass/rushing the Qb?


Third... Yes.. let's get our best guys on the field... A 3-4 you say? Huh? is that why we already have a converted LB at the Leo? Hmmm... Or guys like Gholston who's a little but smaller of and End is down there? Anyway... If Kudla is ever healthy, he'll be jsut fine... second... and this is the way I usually rate unproven players now.... "Gholston is an animal"- AJ Hawk-- When Gholston was a true freshman last August... Carpenter immediatley agreed. The Leo is a complicated position though... what with all the things it has to do in the Zone Blitzes, so maybe its just taking him a little time to get it all down....

Fourth... I wouldn't worry a whole heck of a lot about getting pressure on the QB as long as the D line continues to show improvement the way they did the last few games of last year (we're using that as justification of a great offense, aren't we?)... As long as those guys can take up bodies consistently, we can use the LB's to pressure the QB when we really need to get after him... but the way its shaking out... with soe other variations... if they move patterson outside... I'd hate to have to deal with that crew on a straight bull rush up the gut... screw quick.

 

[Taosman]

Can this team go to the Rose Bowl with 24 sacks?

Got to get MDA on the field! He's a turnover machine. Would also make a great speed rusher. The point is this team has plenty of options, should Heacock have to be creative. The big question is, "Can this team go to the Rose Bowl with only 24 sacks on D, again?"

 

[AKAK]

It would be nice if D'Andre could stay on the field and then they could possibly use him as a rush end on passing downs.

Excecpt if he's healthy, your best personnel group is to use him as a LB in place of Schlegel on Passing downs.

 

[HabaneroBuck]

I wouldn't mind seeing the nickel look this year being a 3-3 with Richardson, Pitcock, and Kudla on the line and Hawk, Carp, and Freeman at LB. They could run some funky blitzes out of that and that group of LB's could cover the pass well too no matter who dropped. Carp needs to stay at LB except in passing situations when you are trying to break a pass protection.

But my question is, "Why run funky blitzes with our secondary when we can plug in Freeman or D'Andrea or even Hoobler to run funky blitzes with?" I know the Bucks aren't going to go and switch the entire defense up, and we're just talking to be talking, but I'm serious when I say that our fifth best linebacker (D'Andrea? Freeman?) is a serious candidate for Big Ten honors of some sort. You simply cannot say the same thing about our D-Line or our secondary.

AKAK, if you aren't worried about our front line's play, that's fine. But they really better step it up big time. I saw very little in the Spring Game (granted what it is...) and I know one thing for sure about Texas; even Oklahoma fans give them props this year for having the best offensive front they expect to see anywhere. So, I really hope you're right.

 

[osugrad21]

But my question is, "Why run funky blitzes with our secondary

See Whitner vs. scUM for reference.

The speed and varied looks in the Nickel package are what Hawg is referring to...not as a base defense.

 

[LloydSev]

But my question is, "Why run funky blitzes with our secondary when we can plug in Freeman or D'Andrea or even Hoobler to run funky blitzes with?" I know the Bucks aren't going to go and switch the entire defense up, and we're just talking to be talking, but I'm serious when I say that our fifth best linebacker (D'Andrea? Freeman?) is a serious candidate for Big Ten honors of some sort. You simply cannot say the same thing about our D-Line or our secondary.

Yeah that's why we do this thing called rotating... it's awesome.. see what happens is we have certain players who start the game.. then get this.. we TAKE THEM OUT and put in their backups!! oh my!

 

[AKAK]

AKAK, if you aren't worried about our front line's play, that's fine. But they really better step it up big time. I saw very little in the Spring Game (granted what it is...) and I know one thing for sure about Texas; even Oklahoma fans give them props this year for having the best offensive front they expect to see anywhere. So, I really hope you're right.

Yeah- Well these are the same Texas an Oklahoma fans who were giving props to the OK St offense for being the most physical in the Big XII last year. Disclaimer- Big XII fans look away for a minute- Its a nancy conference in the trenches. I'd be worried about Iowa. (and I am)